GCWR question on Dodge 2500

[EdK]

Reading right out of my Dodge Ram Cummins owners manual it is stated my vehicle has a GCWR figure of 16,000#. Now just one page earlier it specs out a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 13,600# provided the appropriate Class IV hitch is installed. I may be a towing and trailering newbie but something does not add up here. I think I'd have to toss out more than the door panels and radio to get the truck down to below 2400#. Maybe I should adhere to the GVWR/GAWR figures on the door jam and toss the manual!

 

[Dmace]

What year and drive/cab/bed configuration do you have?
That 16,000 may be for another setup or is just wrong.
Try this for 2002-2009.
http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicle_to_weight.jsp

 

[tcartwri]

What year, rear gear, wheelbase, etc...

 

[EdK]

1995
Std. Cab
5.9 Cummins diesel
NV4500HD manual transmission
2WD
3.54 axle ratio
135" (8' bed)

 

[Dmace]

Just about every Dodge Ram 2500/3500 truck of that generation was 20,000 GCWR. Tough to find info online for that particular truck, trying calling your local dealer with your VIN.

 

[DFB]

My book says 1995 2500 HD 2WD
GVWR 8,800
5.9L V8
TRANS ALL
AXLE ALL
GCWR 14,000
Max Trailer Wt. 9,100

8.0L V10
GCWR 19,000
Max Trailer Wt 13,600

5.2L
All trans
All axle
GVWR 7,500
GCWR 12,500
Max Trailer Wt 7,700

 

[dodge man]

20,000 doesn't sound right. Mines a 2004, Cummins, Quad Cab, 4x4, short bed, 4.10 gears and its 19,000 lbs. I can't imagine the OP's truck is rated higher.

 

[case245]

mines a CHEVY 2011 3500hd reg cab 6.0l 4.11 20500 the maNul says

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dodges are always rated low for some reason. It will carry more then that but the rating is what it is. That 3.54 gear is a big part of the problem. I think the 13,600# rating is for a properly equipped truck, ie diesel dually.

My 06 F350 SRW diesel is rated at 11,500# GVWR and its GCWR is
25,000#

Chris

 

[Peacock]

The 3/4 and 1 ton Ram's of that vintage had the heaviest axles of the big three. The Dana 80 in the rear of the diesels is very stout. They were generally rated the lowest, for some reason. Not only did they have the strongest diesel engine, they had really stout spring packages. My 8800 GVW Ram has been across the scales at over 12k just the truck and it's payload.

A Cummins pulls really well, even with 3.54 gears. They make MUCH more bottom end grunt than the Ford and Chevy diesels did.